The Abia State Governor, Alex Otti has stated that his government has uncovered how past governments of the State paid the whopping sum of N37. 2 billion to 72 contractors for ghost projects in the State.
Otti who was a guest at the Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies, Washington DC, United States, said this corrupt practices was discovered by the forensic auditor contracted to look into the activities of the past governors.
Speaking at the event, Otti said audit firm revealed how the immediate past government of Abia State approved funds to contractors for the construction of non-existent state-owned airport and other infrastructure.
The Governor spoke on the theme, ‘Dynamics of State Governance, Economic Transition and the Challenges of Seeking to Establish a New Order Amidst Multiple Constraints and Pushbacks.’
He, however, stated how difficult it is to admit how some Nigerian leaders contest elections for reasons shrouded in corruption.
The Governor regretted that some politicians have abused the privilege of governance. Thereby, impoverishing their States.
Otti also explained how he engaged one of the top audit firms to examine the State’s accounts. He added that the auditor uncovered several deals that are shrouded in corruption.
“Talking about corruption, I set up a forensic audit as soon as I took over last year in Abia. So that there won’t be any argument, I called in one of the top three audit firms in the world. And not too long ago, they sent in their report and some of the things in the report are frightening.
“So, N9.3bn was paid to seven contractors for contracts that were not executed at all up till today. Another N15.9bn- almost N16bn was paid to 63 contractors with no supporting documents anywhere in the State.
“Another N12bn was paid to two contractors for contracts that did not exist. Out of this figure, N10bn was on September 25, 2020 paid to some contractors for the construction of Abia Airport.
“We have spent time trying to locate the airport and up till now, we have failed.”
The Governor told his audience that one of his aides advised him to seek Artificial Intelligence (AI) in search of the airport.
“So, as we continue to look for our airport, we have also involved security agencies to help us search.”
Otti explained that the N37.2bn spent on ghost projects is what happens when politicians fail to understand the role of governance and economic integration.
According to him, “A lack of accountability enables mindless stealing of resources from the people.”
Otti, therefore, lamented how impoverishing the populace promotes incompetence and damages trust in public institutions.
He said the evidence of the lack of ingenuity of politicians is how Nigerian states struggle to pay salaries.
source: The Whistler
